Constitution & Bylaws

The Constitution and By Laws were adopted December 10th, 2005 at American Legion Post 241, 110 Plymouth Street SW, Le Mars, Iowa 51031.

Constitution Preamble

To participate in parades and other ceremonies that are within the aims and purpose of the American Legion. To provide a Social atmosphere for American Legion Members and their family’s who share an interest in Motorcycling. To promote motorcycle safety and support for other motorcycling organizations. To use our Association to promote and support programs of the American Legion and our communities.

ARTICLE 1, NAME

Section 1. The name of this organization shall be the American Legion Riders Motorcycle Association N.W. Iowa Chapter, attached to American Legion Post 241, Department of Iowa.

Section 3. Upon the formation of one or more new chapters in the Department of Iowa, the practice of the Department of Iowa will prevail for the naming of State Officers. If the Department wishes to impose no practices, then the State Officers will be named by a manner that is in agreement with the involved chapters.

ARTICLE II, NATURE

Section 1. The American Legion Riders Motorcycle Association, attached to Le Mars, Post No. 241, Department of Iowa, is a social organization for its members and their families who share an interest in motorcycling.

Section 2. Each member shall perform his/her duty as a citizen according to his/her own conscience and understanding, in accord with the law.

ARTICLE III, ORGANIZATION

Section 1. This chapter is organized as a social body of American Legion Riders, Iowa Chapter and under the sponsorship and jurisdiction of Le Mars Post 241, Department of Iowa, American Legion.

Section 2. This chapter shall be governed by such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by the National American Legion Riders, the state American Legion Riders Officers, and by such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by its sponsoring Post of the American Legion, not inconsistent with those prescribed by the National Organization.

ARTICLE IV, ELIGIBILITY

Section 1. Any current member of the American Legion, Auxiliary of the American Legion, Sons of the American Legion, and the spouse of said member, shall be eligible for membership.

Section 2. The member or their spouse must own a street legal motorcycle (no ATV’s) of at least 350cc in size.

Section 3. The members of The Legion Posts which do not sponsor American Legion Rider Chapters are permitted to join a post with a chapter, provided they met that Chapters membership requirements.

Section 4. The chapter shall set the Annual membership dues.

Section 5. Honorary Members shall be sponsored by a member in good standing and shall add something to the Chapter. Honorary Members shall need a majority vote for membership.

Section 6. A current member in good standing who can no longer ride due to age, health, or other physical considerations, may continue to be eligible for Chapter membership even if their situation requires them to sell their motorcycle. This will require the member to apply for status as a Legacy Member and a vote of approval at a regular ALR NW Iowa Chapter 241 monthly meeting. Legacy Members will be issued a Legacy Member rocker for their front left vest patch which will signify their long and faithful service to the Chapter. All other membership requirements will still apply. Current rules pertaining to spouses of members in good standing will apply to Legacy Members as well.

ARTICLE V, OFFICERS

Section 1. The officers of the Chapter shall be President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, Sergeant-at-Arms, Road Captain, Chaplain, Historian, and Membership Chairperson, all of whom shall be elected at the annual meeting of the Chapter. The office of Chaplain, Historian, and Membership Chairperson are optional.

ARTICLE VI, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1. Between Chapter meetings, the administrative power of the Chapter shall be vested in the Chapter Executive Committee, which shall consist of all elected officers for the current year, and in addition the immediate Past President.

Section 2. All Past Chapter Presidents shall be members of the Executive Committee without a vote.

ARTICLE VII, DUTIES

Section 1. The annual membership dues shall be set by the Chapter.

Section 2. Members of other American Legion Post may join a Chapter at the discretion of the said chapter.

ARTICLE VIII, APPAREL

Section 1. Members shall be authorized to wear the American Legion Riders Shoulder Patch and back Patch on a black leather vest or black leather jacket. The Shoulder Patch should be worn on the right shoulder of a jacket, or on the front of a baseball cap. However, if wearing both the back patch and a shoulder patch on the same garment, the Shoulder Patch should be on the left breast.

Section 2. A rocker patch may be worn under the Riders Back Patch, indicating the Chapter’s City and Post No. Example: LeMars Post 241. Both patches must touch.

Section 3. All patches ordered from National Emblem Sales should read IOWA CHAPTER per Department of Iowa Resolution.

Section 4. A rocker patch may be worn over the Riders Back Patch, indicating State Charter Member. Only State Chapter Charter Members may wear this patch.

ection 5. A rocker patch may be worn over the Riders Back Patch, indicating Honorary Member. Only Honorary Members who have been bestowed this honor may wear this patch.

Section 6. The black Legion Riders Beret shall be the hat of choice for all member of the association.

Section 7. Other pins and patches may be worn. Please DO NOT wear offensive Patches. Use discretion! If the American Flag is worn by itself it should be the highest pin/patch on the left shoulder or front left side.

ARTICLE IX, AMENDMENTS

Section 1. This Constitution is adopted, subject to the provision of the National Constitution and the Department Constitution of which this Chapter is a subordinate member. Any amendment to the National Constitution or Department Constitution which is in conflict with any provision hereof shall be regarded as automatically repealing or modifying the provisions of this Constitution, to the extent of such conflict.

Section 2. This Constitution may be amended at any regular Chapter meeting by a vote of two-thirds of the membership attending such regular meeting: provided that the proposed amendment shall have been submitted in writing, and read at the immediate preceding Chapter meeting, and provided further, that written notice shall have been given to all members at least 5 days in advanced of the date which such amendment is to be voted upon, notifying said members at such meeting a proposal to amend the Constitution is to be voted upon.

Section 1. The chapter will nominate members for office in the month of November.

Section 2. The membership will vote for those members nominated by secret ballot, in the month of December. Those officers shall be declared elected who have by secret ballot received a majority of votes of Chapter members in good standing.

Section 3. The newly elected officers will take office in January of the new year.

ARTICLE III, DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1. President: Will serve as Chief Administrative Officer of the Association and will preside over all meetings. He/She shall have general supervision over the affairs of the Association. He/She shall perform such other duties as directed by the general membership.

Section 2. Vice President: Will assume the duties of the President in his/her absence, will assist the President in the performance of his/her duties when called on to do so by the President.

Section 3. Secretary: To keep a full and correct record of all proceedings at the meetings. Keep membership records as may be required by the general membership.

Section 4. Treasurer: To have charge of all finances of the Association. To have charge of disbursing funds as directed by the general membership. To give detailed financial reports at each regular meeting. (Copies will be furnished to the Post if requested).

Section 5. Sergeant-at-Arms: Will also help maintain order during chapter meetings according to Roberts rules of Order. He/she will be responsible for placing the colors at all meetings. He/she will monitor the persons entering and leaving the meeting while in session.

Section 6. Road Captain: Will be the logistics person in charge of organized runs of the Association. He/she may, at his/her discretion, appoint assistant road captain or take any other measures he/she may feel necessary to help insure the safety of the group during a run.

Section 7. Chaplain: The Chaplain shall perform such divine and non-sectarian service as may be necessary, adhering to such ceremonial rituals as may be prescribed by the Nation, Membership, and the Post.

Section 8. Historian: The Historian shall collect from year to year all records and data of value and interest to the American Legion Riders and the American Legion, and shall compile during his/her term of office a complete history of the year’s activities.

Section 9: Membership Chairperson: Shall be responsible for maintaining an accurate listing of the membership. They shall oversee all membership drives.

ARTICLE IV, EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 1. The Chapter Executive Committee shall fill any vacancy in the membership of the committee occurring between elections for the remainder of the unexpired term.

Section 2. Any officer or executive committee person may be removed for inefficiency by the Executive Committee. Any officer or executive committee person who is absent three or more consecutive Chapter meetings, can on due investigation, be removed by two-thirds vote of said Executive Committee members.

ARTICLE V, STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1. Upon nomination by the President, The Executive Committee shall annually appoint such standing committees as it shall deem advisable for the benefit of the membership of the Chapter as a whole.

ARTICLE VI, MEETINGS

Section 1. The annual meeting of this Chapter shall be held on the first regular meeting day of January in each calendar year of said date.

Section 2. The regular stated meeting of this Chapter shall be held on the third Sunday of each and every month.

Section 3. Special meetings shall be called upon a majority vote of the Executive Committee or upon written request of ten Chapter members.

Section 4. Notice of special meetings of the Chapter shall be e-mailed at least 24 hours in advanced. Members not having e-mail will be notified by phone.

ARTICLE VII, QUORUM

Section 1. Seven members, including one presiding officer, shall constitute a quorum at any meeting of the Chapter. Section 2. Four members of the Executive Committee shall constitute a quorum for the legal transaction of business.

ARTICLE VIII, FINANCES

Section 1. All funds of this chapter shall be deposited in a bank by the Treasurer. Withdrawals shall only be made by check signed by Treasurer, President and /or Vice President.

Section 2. Dues will be $10.00 per year. This fee will include the member’s spouse.

ARTICLE IX, RULES OF ORDER

Section 1. The procedures at all Chapter meetings shall be governed by Roberts Rule of Order.

ARTICLE X, AMENDMENTS

Section 1. These By-Laws may be amended at any regular Chapter meeting by vote of two-thirds of the members attending such regular meeting, provided that the proposed amendment shall have been submitted in writing and read at the immediate preceding Chapter meeting, and provided further, that written notice shall have been given to all members at least five days in advanced of the date when such amendments is to be voted upon, notifying said members that at such a meeting a proposal to amend the By-Laws is to be voted upon.

AMENDMENTS

Amendment 1: All requests for expenditures of monies by the chapter shall be made in writing to the Executive Committee of said organization. It is then the responsibility of the Executive Committee to review and research the merits of each request for monies and develop a recommendation to either approve or deny said request, and bring their recommendation, and defense of their recommendation, the next regular meeting of the chapter for discussion and vote by the member attending that meeting. In the event of the emergency need for expenditure before the next regular meeting of the membership, the Executive Committee shall have the authority to spend up to $500.00 without membership vote. It is anticipated that such emergencies would be infrequent and the Executive Committee should make every effort to bring all votes for expenditures of monies by the chapter to the full membership for their input and vote of approval or denial. Emergency dispersals require 51% or greater vote by all members of the Executive Committee.

The Chaplain’s Committee shall, likewise, petition in writing the Executive Committee for their dispersals and same will be presented, with Chaplain’s Committee for recommendation to the membership at the next regular scheduled meeting for discussion and vote. In the unlikely event of the need for emergency expenditure before the next meeting the Chaplain’s Committee is authorized to disperse up to $200.00 of their committee’s fund only. This requires a 51% or greater vote by members of the Chaplain’s Committee. (Amendment Adopted December 21, 2014)